Plants are an important source of food and of valuable products for industry, agriculture and medicine. They are unique in many aspects of metabolic processes, development and reproduction. Most of these aspects can now be studied by the modern methods and technolo gies of molecular and cellular biology. Such studies are also encouraged as to improve plant yield and quality. During the past decade research in plant sciences has demonstrated the feasibility of plant cell and tissue culture techniques as major tools in biology and agriculture. These techniques are also essential in strategies for engineering of biological systems. The proceedings of the VII International Congress on Plant Tissue and Cell Culture in Amsterdam show that in recent years an impressive progress has been achieved. The papers of the congress, with more than 2000 participants, include the full text of plenary lectures, keynote lectures and presentations of speakers who have been selected out of more than 1400 abstracts. This combination, which provides readers with reviews as well as recent findings and future developments, captures an important part of the scientific exchange during the congress. The papers in these proceedings are a reflection of the role of plant cell and tissue culture in disciplines varying from plant breeding to molecular biology. Basic as well as applied studies in a variety of plant disciplines are presented in 4 sections: (1) Genetic manipulation and propagation, (2) Morphogenesis and metabolism, (3) Secondary metabolites and (4) Biotechnology and developing countries.
